5-Day Xi'an Summer Family Trip Guide

I stayed at a hotel near the Bell Tower in Xi'an.

1. Pros: It's close to the Bell and Drum Towers and the subway station, making it very convenient. Cons: The rooms are quite small and a bit old.

After arriving at Xi'an Airport:

Once your flight lands, go to Terminal 2 and take Subway Line 14 from Airport West (towards Heshao) to Xi'an North Station (about 35 minutes). On the same platform, transfer to Line 4 across from you, from Xi'an North Station (towards Hangtian Xincheng) to Dachaishi Station (about 30 minutes). Then change to Line 6 (towards Xi'an South Station) and get off at Bell Tower Station (just 1 stop). Take Exit J, walk about 60 meters, and you'll reach your hotel near the Bell Tower for check-in. Story from June 13 to 18, 5 nights in a light-luxury twin room, breakfast not included.

In the evening, grab a late-night snack, enjoy the night view, and rest up.

Remember to book a shared guide service for the Terracotta Warriors before 9:00 PM (join a group).

Note: For the Great Tang All Day Mall CTWAK, book one day in advance before 9:00 PM.

These booking services are free at the hotel, and some hotels even offer free airport pickup.

DAY 2: June 14

Terracotta Warriors + Huaqing Palace + Lishan Garden Scenic Area

From the hotel, go to the Bell Tower North bus stop and take the Qinzhifeng direct bus to the Terracotta Warriors. The bus runs from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, departing every half hour, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. The fare is 30 RMB, and the return trip is on the same bus, with a guide included (buses leave from Bell Tower until 2:00 PM, and from the Terracotta Warriors until 6:00 PM).

Visit the eighth wonder of the world: Pits 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Lishan Garden Scenic Area.

When you arrive at the Terracotta Warriors, you can also go to Lishan Garden first. Take the free shuttle bus for 5 minutes, then buy a 15 RMB sightseeing car ticket to visit the funerary pits, bronze chariots, and more. Afterwards, come back and spend 5 RMB on an electric car to see Pit 1, Pit 3, and Pit 2 in that order.

For the return trip, you can get off at Big Wild Goose Pagoda or go back to Bell Tower. After touring the Warriors, you can enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant and try some local specialties.

Ask if the direct bus can also take you to Huaqing Palace. If not, just take a taxi from the Warriors—it costs about 18 RMB.

Huaqing Palace: In the evening, watch the Song of Everlasting Sorrow performance.

Ticket: 120 RMB per person.

DAY 3: June 15

From Bell Tower Station, take Subway Line 2 at Exit C South (towards Caotan, 10 stops) to Xi'an North Station. Walk 5 minutes to Platform 12A/13A; allow about 30 minutes for security and ticket checks. Then take the high-speed train to Huashan North Station (54.8 RMB), which takes 30–40 minutes. At Huashan North Station, take the free Huayin Bus 1 or 2 to the Huashan Visitor Center. The typical route is to ascend via the West Peak cable car and descend from the North Peak. Cable car ticket: 140 RMB, students 126 RMB (student ID, household register, or ID card required).

DAY 4: June 16

Xi'an City Wall + Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square + Bell and Drum Tower Square + Gao Family Mansion

For the Bell and Drum Towers, and the City Wall, enter from Yongning Gate in the evening (use Yongning Gate subway station). The wall is most beautiful from sunset to nightfall. The Great Tang All Day Mall and Tang Paradise are stunning at night and are close to each other—you can visit both. Enter at Yongning Gate and exit at Jianguo Gate.

The Shaanxi History Museum is closed on Mondays, and selfie sticks are not allowed inside.

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are only about 100 meters apart—no need to climb them. After enjoying the night view, head straight to the Muslim Quarter.

If you have a student ID, be sure to bring it. Most attractions in Xi'an charge admission, and student IDs get you half-price tickets.

Shaanxi History Museum: Known as the “Pearl of the Ancient Capital” and “Treasure House of China,” it’s China’s first large modern national museum. It houses artifacts from prehistoric times to 1840, spanning over a million years—a key window into Chinese history and culture.

I suggest taking a taxi or the subway (taxi is easier; if you can’t get one, take the subway). From Bell Tower Station, Exit C South (towards Changninggong, 4 stops) to Xiaozhai Station, Exit E Northeast, then walk 826 meters.

Xi'an Museum: A city museum that integrates Tang Dynasty architecture, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Jianfu Temple, and exhibition halls, showcasing Xi’an’s economic and cultural development through different eras.

From Bell Tower Station, Exit C South (towards Changninggong, 4 stops) to Nanshaomen Station, Exit F, then walk 557 meters.

Food near Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Hairong Pot Stickers, Lao An Jia Paomo, Wang Maoyuan Lamb Noodles, Tang Ji (go early), Chahuannong, and more. Located on Yucai Road, north square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. If you go at night, there’s also a music fountain.

Food near Dachaishi: From Dachaishi Subway Station, Exit C, turn right and enter East Sandaoxiang Lane. Try Loubeilou Paomo, Little Immortal Rice Noodles (internet-famous), Qinyangji Water Basin Lamb (old brand), Li Da Long Hand-Pulled Noodles, and Ma Laosi Meatball and Pepper Soup—all excellent.

Food near Bell Tower: Yisushe Food Court at Underground Passage Exit 6. Xi'an Restaurant, Jufengyuan Restaurant, Xiyunzhang Dumpling House, Taolicun Restaurant, Xinzhonghua Yuanxiao, and Xi'an Wuyi Restaurant are all worth trying. There’s also Dongbang Ge retro street decorated in 1980s style—fun to explore.

Hulutou Paomo: Take Metro Line 4 to Hepingmen Station, head to Jian Dong Street, and try Wuweixiang Hulutou Paomo. A must-eat for old Xi'an locals, well worth it.

Weijia has many branches across Xi'an and is worth a try.

Muslim Quarter: Haiyan Tangbao Steamed Dumplings and Shijia Baozi.

Zhubaishi Branch: Fan Ji Cured Meat in Baked Bun (opposite the glass door passage of Drum Tower). Qin Yu Roujiamo (Dongmutoushi Main Branch) is near Yongning Gate.

Gao Family Mansion: Take a taxi to No. 144 Beiyuanmen, Xi’an. Features include Ming and Qing architecture, antique furniture, traditional residence couplets, brick carvings, a tea house, folk paper-cutting, shadow puppetry, guzheng performances, famous calligraphy and paintings, Chinese fine art, old photographs, porcelain, and Shaanxi-style souvenirs.

Full ticket: 15 RMB/person.

Seniors and students: 7.5 RMB/person.

DAY 5: June 17

Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River

Join a group tour. Book on Ctrip in advance—highly recommended.

195 RMB per person (8.3 hours).

DAY 6: June 18

End your happy journey and head home!